Moore County

Texas · TX

#213 in Texas
57
County Score

County Report Card

About Moore County, Texas

Moore exceeds national livability median

Moore County's composite score of 64.7 outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 50% of U.S. counties. Strong affordability drives this advantage, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious households nationwide.

Competitive within Texas

Moore ranks near Texas's state average composite score of 66.8, performing competitively among the state's 254 counties. Its position reflects balance across multiple livability dimensions without major standout strengths or weaknesses.

Exceptional housing affordability

Moore's cost score of 79.0 is among the highest in the dataset, with median home values of just $135,400 and rents at $894 per month. This outstanding affordability makes homeownership and stable housing highly accessible for working families.

Income levels run low

The income score of 23.4 reflects median household income of $61,325, indicating limited economic opportunities for higher earners. Safety, health, education quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, creating gaps in the complete livability assessment.

Great for budget-first households

Moore serves families and retirees maximizing housing for limited income—a place where renters find $894 rents and homebuyers find sub-$140K properties. It trades earning potential for genuine affordability and financial breathing room.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax59.4Cost79SafetyComing SoonHealth42.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk38.1WaterComing Soon
🏛59.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠79
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
42.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
38.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Moore County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Moore County

via TaxByCounty

Moore's rate sits above the national average

At 1.526%, Moore County's effective tax rate runs nearly 20% higher than the national median of 1.276%. This places the county in the upper third nationally for property tax burden, meaning homeowners here pay more per dollar of assessed value than most Americans.

Higher than typical for Texas

Moore County's 1.526% rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276% by 0.25 percentage points. Among Texas counties, Moore ranks as a higher-tax jurisdiction, though still within the state's typical range.

Moore outpaces its regional peers

Compared to neighboring counties, Moore's 1.526% rate is significantly higher than Motley County (1.097%), Morris County (1.178%), and Nacogdoches County (0.925%). Only Nolan County in the broader region approaches Moore's burden at 1.511%.

On a median home, expect $2,066 yearly

With a median home value of $135,400, Moore County homeowners pay roughly $2,066 in annual property taxes. That's $127 less than the national median tax bill, reflecting the county's below-average home values despite above-average rates.

Your assessment may be negotiable

Property tax assessments in Moore County can sometimes be challenged if your home's assessed value exceeds its market value. Many homeowners discover they've been overassessed and successfully appeal to lower their tax burden.

Cost of Living in Moore County

via CostByCounty

Moore County beats national affordability

Moore County renters spend just 17.5% of income on housing, outperforming both the national trend and Texas average of 18.1%. At $894 monthly rent against a median household income of $61,325, Moore offers genuinely affordable housing by U.S. standards.

Among Texas's most affordable markets

Moore County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio places it below the state average, signaling relative affordability within Texas's diverse housing landscape. The median home value of $135,400 keeps homeownership accessible for middle-income families in the region.

Moore's sweet spot for budget-conscious renters

Moore County's $894 median rent edges out Morris County ($824) but significantly undercuts Montgomery County ($1,471), while the $61,325 median income falls between neighboring counties. This balance makes Moore attractive for households seeking modest living costs without sacrificing community amenities.

Moore's lean housing-cost structure

Renters here dedicate $894 monthly while homeowners pay $871—remarkably similar costs—against a $61,325 median household income. Housing costs consume under one-fifth of budgets, freeing significant resources for savings and other expenses.

Moore County awaits budget-conscious relocators

If you're relocating to find genuine housing affordability without cutting corners on community quality, Moore County delivers solid value. Benchmark your current rent-to-income ratio: Moore's 17.5% rate suggests meaningful savings if you're currently above 20%.

Income & Jobs in Moore County

via IncomeByCounty

Moore County Falls Short Nationally

Moore County's median household income of $61,325 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $13,400. This 18% gap reflects the economic pressures facing rural Texas counties in competing with national wage trends.

Below Texas's State Average Income

At $61,325, Moore County's median household income falls below Texas's state average of $64,737. The county's per capita income of $27,472 also underperforms the state average of $33,197, suggesting limited high-wage job availability.

Moore Ranks Mid-Tier Among Peers

Moore County earns slightly more than Morris ($55,082) and Nacogdoches ($51,528), but less than Motley ($62,857) and Montague ($62,818). The county's income profile aligns with other rural Texas communities balancing limited local economies with broader state trends.

Affordable Housing Supports Stability

Moore County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs well below the 30% affordability benchmark. Median home values of $135,400 remain accessible to households earning around $61,000, providing stable housing foundations.

Start Small, Build Steadily

Moore County's affordable living costs create opportunities to save and invest despite modest incomes. Begin with emergency savings, employer retirement plans, and modest investment accounts to develop financial resilience over time.

Health in Moore County

via HealthByCounty

Health struggles outpace national trends

Nearly 30% of Moore County residents report poor or fair health, significantly above the 18% national average. Life expectancy of 74.8 years sits below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting sustained health challenges.

Among Texas's most challenged counties

Moore County's 74.8-year life expectancy is just 0.5 years above the Texas state average, but the 29.8% poor/fair health rate is far worse than most of the state. The county faces significant health disparities.

Health gaps across the region

Moore County residents report poor or fair health at nearly double the rate of Motley County (18.7%) and experience life expectancy 3.4 years below nearby Montgomery County (78.2 years). Regional health infrastructure varies sharply.

Uninsured rate and limited providers

At 26.1%, Moore County's uninsured rate is the highest in this group and 6.3 percentage points above Texas's average. With just 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, healthcare access is stretched thin.

Access affordable coverage now

With more than one in four residents uninsured, finding coverage is urgent. Explore Texas Medicaid, ACA plans at healthcare.gov, or local community health centers that offer sliding-scale fees—many Moore County residents qualify for assistance that could cut costs by half or more.

Disaster Risk in Moore County

via RiskByCounty

Moore: Low Risk Despite Wildfire Threat

Moore County scores 61.90 on the national composite risk scale, ranking as "Relatively Low" and exceeding Texas's state average of 49.00 primarily due to wildfire exposure. The Panhandle county's overall risk profile remains manageable compared to higher-threat regions nationally.

Panhandle County, Moderate Texas Rank

Moore ranks in the middle-to-lower range among Texas's 254 counties, driven largely by wildfire hazards common to the Panhandle plains region. The county's tornado and earthquake risks add modest elevation above the state average, but remain below coastal and urban county levels.

Similar Risk to High Plains Neighbors

Moore's composite score of 61.90 aligns closely with other Texas Panhandle counties facing comparable wildfire and tornado exposure. The county's near-zero hurricane risk (0.00) and minimal flood risk (9.61) distinguish it favorably from counties further east or south.

Wildfire and Tornado Dominate Hazard Profile

Moore County's wildfire risk peaks at 89.25, making it the dominant natural disaster threat for residents and agricultural operations. Tornado risk reaches 75.45, while flood (9.61) and hurricane (0.00) risks are negligible in this semi-arid Panhandle location.

Focus on Wind and Wildfire Protection

Moore County homeowners should prioritize windstorm coverage and ensure their insurance includes wildfire damage protection, especially in rural areas near grasslands. Create a 30-foot defensible perimeter around your home by removing dead vegetation, and keep gutters clear of debris to reduce ignition risk during fire season.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.